Pensioner dies after choking on food at Scots nursing home as probe launched

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A probe has been launched after a pensioner died choking on food at a nursing home in Midlothian.

Anne Amos, 72, passed away on September 13 2021 at Pine Villa Nursing Home in Loanhead. A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) will now be held, with a preliminary hearing set for January 20 and a start date for May 20 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

An FAI aims not to attribute blame, but looks at the cause of death, the circumstances in which it occurred, and to establish if any precautions could be taken to prevent similar incidents.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has lodged a first notice for the inquiry, which will look at measures and risk assessments in use by the nursing home to mitigate choking hazards and the circumstances in which Ms Amos was left unattended.

Procurator fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on death investigations for the COPFS, said: “The death of Anne Amos occurred in circumstances giving rise to significant public concern and as such a discretionary fatal accident inquiry should be held.

“The lodging of the first notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the sheriff. Ms Amos’s family will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress.”

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